U.S.-N. Korea Talks End in Stalemate

North Korea refused to stop developing missiles for self-defense, claiming Washington has deployed “thousands of missiles” that threaten the Communist state. “That is why the United States has no right to make such unjust claims for the freeze of our missile capabilities,” said Jang Chang Chon, head of North Korea’s bureau on U.S. affairs. However, North Korea remains willing to discuss the possibility of curbing exports of missile technology if paid enough. Three days of missile talks held in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, ended in a stalemate, with the United States refusing to pay Pyongyang $1 billion a year in exchange for a halt to missile technology exports.